Hi all,
Just in case anyone is interested, Paul and I have booked a boat out to Garden Island with Captain Deb in the Northwest Angle. We are spending a few days in northern Minnesota finishing up the State Parks Wildlife Safari series.

We are scheduled to depart for the island at about 11:00 on next Wednesday, June 23, and have room for 6 to 8 others.

If you are free this Saturday and would like to make the trip to Garden Island, but are concerned about being on the hook for a lot of money, I would only ask fellow passengers to chip in what they would if the boat was full. So about $30-35 per person.

Please let me know by Thursday evening if you are interested. Let's say, by 7:30 p.m.

Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject: More than an ammo can for me

When I went to Garden Island it was a great adventure. I found caches in Warroad and all the caches on the Northwest Angle, used the phone at Jim's Corner, took pictures at the border, found the benchmarks, picked up a couple of Canadian caches, stopped by the fort with Captain Deb and found the cache there, met a bunch of great cachers both Canadian and American, and last but not least found the cache on Garden Island. That was after taking a 100+ mile detour only to find out later the detour didn't apply on weekends. . I thought that the price was a real steal for all of that, even with the detour. The cost was divided between all of us riders. It was a full boat. I didn't spend the night before or after so I didn't have the costs of a hotel. I didn't quite make it back the night after all the excitement. Luckily I traveled alone so I was good with pulling over to sleep in my car for awhile._________________Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. ~Robert Frost

I am heading to the island with my family on Sunday, Sept 4th at 10:00am. Contact Captain Deb if you are interested in tagging along. Should be fun. We will be camping at Zippel Bay Fri, Sat and Sun. We would like some company so stop by.

I am heading to the island with my family on Sunday, Sept 4th at 10:00am. Contact Captain Deb if you are interested in tagging along. Should be fun. We will be camping at Zippel Bay Fri, Sat and Sun. We would like some company so stop by.

Chris "Big Red Librarian" Erickson

Sounds fun, however I think were heading your way this weekend down to the cities.

I am heading to the island with my family on Sunday, Sept 4th at 10:00am. Contact Captain Deb if you are interested in tagging along. Should be fun. We will be camping at Zippel Bay Fri, Sat and Sun. We would like some company so stop by.

Chris "Big Red Librarian" Erickson

I want reports on camping at Zippel. I've wanted to camp there for quite some time but can't convince the wife to go that far. So if you provide some ammo, you might be able to help me get there..

I want reports on camping at Zippel. I've wanted to camp there for quite some time but can't convince the wife to go that far.

Zippel Bay State Park has four campgrounds for the general public, plus a group camp area for primitive camping. All the campgrounds are wooded; you're not out baking in an open field. RVs are allowed. Maximum length of 50 feet, including trailer, popup camper or RV and towing vehicle. I don't think there are electrical hookups anywhere. There is a dump station.

Each campsite has its own picnic table and fire ring with grate.

Each campground has its own drinking water (hand pump), garbage cans, recycling containers, and at least one latrine. There is a shower house shared by all campers, and two handicapped-accessible latrines at the shower house.

It is not crowded.

Two campgrounds (Ridge and Angler's) are connected to trails. One (Lady's-Slipper) is within easy walking distance of a walk-in canoe access, which is a small sandy beach with picnic table, fire ring, and trail access.

Where I stayed I could see the stars at night, was protected from wind by trees, and could hear the lake when it was quiet enough.

It is not that far from Baudette, so if you forget to bring some grocery item, you are not in big trouble.

It's inexpensive!

Some of the campsites are big enough to accommodate a boat: I saw some spots where the people had a truck and tent in the campsite, and a boat across the way.

The Hiking Club trail starts at the beach, and goes along Lake of the Woods and a wildlife viewing area.

I want reports on camping at Zippel. I've wanted to camp there for quite some time but can't convince the wife to go that far.

Zippel Bay State Park has four campgrounds for the general public, plus a group camp area for primitive camping. SNIP

Camping at Zippel booked for the weekend of August 3rd.

Assuming the state park system starts a new geocaching program, I'll be planning a junket to Garden Island during that weekend. Calls placed to Young's but they're out while the ice fishing season begins to ramp up.

I already have one confirmed group joining me. We'll be aiming for Friday or Saturday on the cruise to the island. Sunday will only be a worst case scenario.

If you're interested, you now have enough time to plan and to let me know so we can get a reduced group rate.